PROFILE OF HIGH SCHOOL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES

Duehring, MID and Ebben, WP. Profile of high school strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 24(2): 538-547, 2010-This study describes the results of a survey of high school strength and conditioning coaches (coaches). Thirty-nine of 128 (30.5%) coaches who were surveyed responded, representing 24 of the states of the United States. This survey examines the coaches' personal background information, compensation, job responsibilities, schools, facilities, the advantages and disadvantages of their positions, things they would like to change, and unique aspects of their program. The coaches averaged 6.74 and 14.89 years in their present positions and profession, respectively. All but one coach was certified, with 83% of the survey respondents certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. More than half of the coaches (54%) had master's degrees. Coaches worked an average of 9.13 hours a day, beginning and ending their work day on average at 7:34 and 5:07, am and pm, respectively. Coaches' salaries, normalized to a 12-month contract for comparison, averaged approximately $57,866 and $55,214 for those who were and were not part of the teacher's contract, respectively. Coaches who were not salaried were paid an average of $25.90 per hour. Coaches functioned in a variety of roles in their school in addition to their work as a strength and conditioning coach. The coaches' schools averaged approximately 1475 and 429 students and student athletes, respectively. The average strength and conditioning facility size was approximately 3631 ft(2), resulting in an average of 9.92 ft(2) per athlete. Daily use averaged approximately 192 students. Coaches described the types of equipment and a variety of other facilities used to train athletes. Coaches also reported the advantages, disadvantages, and unique aspects of their work in high school strength and conditioning. Thirty-three of 39 coaches desired to continue as a high school strength and conditioning coach. A variety of other data are described. This study serves as a comprehensive source of information about high school coaches' profiles and positions.